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Tile adds visual interest and beauty to any space, whether it's installed on the floor, walls or as a fireplace surround.

"You can really add to the overall look of your home via a natural stone or glass mosaic tile," says Marie-Claire Williams, sales and design consultant with Cardel Renovations. "Tile can really play with the overall style of your home and just add that 'wow' factor. You can do a whole wall of tile in your great room, and it can look fantastic against your fireplace."

However, from a cost standpoint, if Williams was going to design an entire room with tile, she would probably install it in a powder room, where, "it can be a good replacement for paint."

Natural stone: There are myriad kinds of stone tiles available to choose from, including marble, travertine and limestone. Many types of stone share the same pros and cons: they're beautiful, but high maintenance. Marble is one of Williams' favourite natural stone options.

"Marble is really on trend right now," she says. "Marble has this air of luxury about it. It's got the natural swirls and movement and it's got that gorgeous veining in it as well. Marble countertops are beautiful. You can also do smaller inserts in your bathroom to get that same look for a lower cost, because marble can be quite expensive. You can put marble on the walls of a shower, or you could do a floor insert to add that pop of luxury to a space."

Cost: $25-$65 per square foot, including supply and install.

Cons: Marble is prone to staining and scratching. "This is why I don't ever recommend using it in the kitchen," Williams says. "If you were to spill red wine, juice or spaghetti sauce on marble tile, it would undoubtedly stain - it's very porous."

Care considerations: Marble tile needs to be sealed once a year. "It's such a very beautiful product. You just have to make sure you use it properly," adds Williams.

Glass: Glass tile is fabulous in a bathroom where you can use it as a backsplash. You can also use it in the kitchen or as a fireplace surround. Glass tile is available in a wide range of sizes and styles, from a oneby-one-inch mosaic to a solid piece of glass for a kitchen backsplash, "which is a really contemporary look."

Cost: $20-$65 per square foot, supplied and installed.

Pros: Aesthetic appeal. "It's a very clean look that a lot of people like," Williams says. "As a designer, what I love about using glass tiles, is their durability and how easy they are to clean. They are fantastic to use as a kitchen or bathroom backsplash, because you don't have to worry about stains. And, in a bathroom, you don't have to worry about mould or mildew." Another benefit is that it takes roughly half the amount of energy to produce a glass tile as it does a ceramic tile of similar size. "If a client wants to be eco-friendly, I recommend using recycled glass tiles. Recycled glass has more of an eclectic feel to it, but it's still really nice."

Cons: Price. "It's beautiful, but it's expensive," Williams says, noting that glass in general is an expensive product, and adding to the cost is the fact that many mosaic glass tiles are imported from Italy. Additionally, "you have to make sure that glass tile is properly installed. If it's not installed properly, it's not very forgiving. Part of the reason it's so expensive is you've got to get the right installers to do the job."

Care considerations: Use a mild detergent or a little water and vinegar to clean. "It's streak-free, and you're not using harsh chemicals," Williams notes.

Ceramic vs. porcelain tile: Ceramic and porcelain tiles are both made out of clay and share many similarities, according to Candace Atkinson, interior designer at Designers Edge in Calgary. Ceramic tiles are resistant to staining, scratching and fire, and will not fade from being exposed to sunlight. Ceramic tiles with a high-gloss finish are typically used as a shower or bathroom backsplash. Ceramic tiles also come in a matte finish; or in an abrasive, slip-resistant finish with a little bit of texture to it - allowing it to be used on a floor in a high traffic area. Porcelain is available in matte, unglazed or high polish finishes. It's less porous, which makes it a good choice for bathrooms and kitchens - both places where water is a consideration. Another plus: porcelain is more dense than ceramic, so it will take a heavier load in high traffic areas. You can get porcelain tile in a faux marble or travertine-type finish, as well as in contemporary styles. "You can really use these tiles for any kind of design," Atkinson says, noting porcelain tile is very popular, especially on floor applications.

Cost: Ceramic tile starts at about $3-$6 per square foot, while porcelain tile ranges from $4-$8 per square foot.

Pros: While ceramic and porcelain tile offer many similar benefits, ceramic tile is slightly more affordable. Porcelain, which is made of a finer clay, is a little more resistant to moisture. It's also resistant to deep abrasion and frost.

Cons: The only downside with ceramic, is that if it gets chipped, it can mar the colour. With porcelain tile, the colour goes all the way through from top to bottom.

Care considerations: Easy to clean, but you'll need to reseal the grout on ceramic and porcelain tile on a regular basis.

Stainless steel: Stainless steel tile comes in different sizes, shapes and textures - everything from a full panel for a really modern look, to a tile mosaic.

"There are a lot of options," Atkinson notes. Stainless steel tiles are typically used as a wall application, often as a backsplash in a kitchen or bathroom. Homeowners who want this type of look will often choose stainless steel tiles as an insert, using it as an accent. "It is very client specific - it's not something you see all the time."

Cost: $35-$50 per square foot, including install.

Pros: The classy look.

Cons: The cost. In addition, stainless steel tiles are easily dented or scratched.

Care considerations: Easy to clean. You don't want anything acidic on this type of tile, which will show fingerprints, dirt and oil.

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